Paid work or work experience and school aged pupils

We understand that work experience is an important part of Education for Employability which allows students to learn about the world of work in a 'real life' working situation. We are actively working with the Business Education Support Team (BEST) at Durham County Council to provide a number of placements in a range of work areas.

It is intended to give a student an experience of working life and the Key Skills needed in the workplace and a chance to try out an occupation they may want to follow. 

All students, from those taking the fewest examinations to those who will take degrees, need real knowledge of the world of work.  For a free young persons interactive CD guide on what local government can offer, please email Jamie Henderson (Personnel)

About this service

How does the process work?

Requests must be made in the first instance to your careers contact at your school or college.  They will then contact us to ascertain if the placement is feasible and if appropriate to arrange a date.

As far as possible students should undertake real tasks to give them an idea of the work carried out by the employer. They should learn how the company is organised. Some students may observe the more complicated parts of running a company and should gain an understanding of how enterprise, creativity and innovation help business growth.  Every student should have a Work Experience Logbook in which they can record progress. The Council will help by making sure the student completes it and by completing the Employer Assessment section for the student.

Limits on the jobs students can do.

The Education Act 1996 and local bye-laws place limitations on the type of work which students can experience. The School's Work Experience Co-ordinator can give advice on this.

The Work Experience Co-ordinator or Teacher Responsible plans a Scheme of Work for the Health and Safety Preparation, Briefing and Debriefing of students prior to Work Experience. When a company is known to be willing to take a student the teachers responsible for the student will send the company contact details of their Work Experience Programme. Parents, Employers and Students are asked to complete the Approval and Consent Form which indicates that all parties agree with the arrangements.

Legislation

Health and Safety at Work 

• during preparation in school, students will have the importance of health and safety responsibilities at work outlined to them. They will be introduced to the ideas of their own responsibility for health and safety, safe working practices, signage and significant specific risks and general control measures.The employer will need to reinforce these Health and Safety responsibilities at the start of their placement through their Induction Process.
• the Health and Safety Training for Employment Regulations 1990 give all school students receiving training the same protection and duties as employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act and other relevant statutory provisions.
• the requirement for employers to inform parents/guardians of the outcome of their Risk Assessment is under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The Approval and Consent Form will enable employers to do this if they wish.
• the general duty of care which teachers owe to their students will extend to the arranging of any Work Experience placement.
• the main responsibility for the Health and Safety of the student whilst on Work Experience lies with the employer.
• fire, First Aid and Accident Reporting procedures must be explained to the student by the employer.
• similarly, any particular hazards associated with the work area and the work to be done must be explained and the importance of following safe working practices emphasised.
• appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing must be available where appropriate.
• it is in everyone's interest that the employer ensures adequate supervision throughout the placement. Supervisors should be aware of the purpose of work experience, have a good knowledge of Health and Safety and know something about the young person working with them.               

Child Protection Issues 

Schools should have given consideration to preparing students to deal with and report incidents that they feel uncomfortable with during their work placement. Employers should take account of child protection issues under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

Insurance Arrangements 

The Employers Insurance Company must be informed of the employer's intention to take on a Work Experience student. Where a student will be travelling in a vehicle for the purposes of work the vehicle insurance must cover them.

There are 6 principal areas of risk that may arise in the course of Work Experience:-

• injury to students themselves
• injury to others on the premises
• injury to others not on the premises
• damage to or loss of employers' property
• damage to or loss of other property
• damage to or loss of employee's property               

Where a "liability" can be demonstrated then:-

• injuries caused to others on the premises, others not on the premises, damage to others property and damage to employee's property should normally be covered by the employer's Public Liability Insurance policy.
• damage to the employer's own property should normally be covered by the employer's Material Damage policy.
• injuries to the student whilst on work experience will be covered by the employer's Employers Liability Insurance policy.               

Students must be briefed that if they cause injury or damage through a deliberate act they will not be indemnified by insurance and may be required to meet the cost of any compensation the Courts may award.

Teacher Visits to Placement Providers 

The LEA Work Experience Scheme requires the school staff to make a Teacher Visit to the employer during the placement in order to monitor and review the progress of the student. Where a visit is deemed not to be "reasonably practicable" e.g. out of the area, the school will contact the employer.

Hours of Work 

The Working Time Regulations 1998 apply to students on work experience however, the number and pattern of hours worked is normally agreed by the provider, school and student. If possible, normal hours should be worked, but students are not allowed to work outside any hours specified by legislation. Pay, Tax and National Insurance 

Students on work experience must not be paid and will not pay tax or N.I. contributions. Employers can assist with travelling or lunch costs if they wish.

Length of Work Experience 

There are no fixed requirements. Five to ten days on a "Block" is currently seen as the normal length of stay if Work Experience is to offer enough depth to be of use. Students on an "Extended" Work Experience need to work at least one day per week if the experience is to be of real value.

Lunch and Break Periods 

Parents should discuss the arrangements for lunch and break periods with their son/daughter and make sure they are suitable. If a student leaves the employer's premises during lunch or break periods, no liability can be accepted by the employer or the school for any incident that may occur.

Preference will be made for those who are at school or resident within the District.

What you must do

Liase with schools careers team.

What happens next?

We will endeavour to acknowledge correspondence within 7 days of receipt, although it may take longer for us to find a suitable placement in some circumstances.

What are the charges for this service?

None.

Some frequently asked questions

Who do I contact at Easington to discuss the possibility of a work placement?

Peter Carr.  Personnel Officer.  4344.

E-mail Peter Carr

 

Why cant we provide placement for skilled manual posts - like Plumbing?

Unfortunately, due to H&S and legal restrictions, placements for role such as Gas Fitter, Plumber, Bricklayer, Gardener, Joiner etc are not available.

These role have a degree of risk involved and must only be carried out by fully qualified people.